Have you ever read about the dedicated effort that goes into making a Torah scroll? It is truly fascinating. God’s Word is treated with such deep reverence. It is even forbidden to do anything disrespectful in the presence of a Torah scroll.

A scroll is a masterpiece of skill and strict adherence to 4,000 laws that direct the copying of a scroll. Each is comprised of between 62 and 84 sheets of parchment, which have been made from the skin of a kosher animal and cured, tanned, scraped, and prepared according to the law’s specifications.

Each scroll must contain exactly 304,805 letters. Laws dictate the precise writing of each letter, and if even one letter is missing or misshapen, or in some instances, merely cracked or smudged, the entire Torah scroll is considered not kosher and is disqualified.

Because the message of the Torah embodies holiness, the text, and especially the names of God, must be written with utmost purity and devotion.

Only a special black ink and feather quill may be used.

Not only do precise laws regulate the materials and copying of the Torah but they also regulate the scribes who copy it. For the writing of a scroll is a holy task.

A scribe is called a Sofer, which literally means one who counts letters. To qualify as a Sofer, one must…

* be pious and train rigorously to know the governing laws before he begins.
* not write even one letter into a scroll by heart but copy from a second, kosher scroll opened before him at all times.* be totally clean spiritually by immersion in a mikvah (or mikveh) bath before beginning his work.
* pronounce every word out loud before copying it from the correct text.* recite a blessing at the outset of his work and before each time he writes the name of God.
* recite before writing God’s name, “I am writing the name to sanctify the name,” or “My intention is now to write the Holy Name.” Then, he must inscribe it without interruption.* not alter the design of the sections, lines, and columns, conforming to a particular format.

A scroll takes about 2,000 hours to copy, comprising of around one year’s work. It takes a scribe about one week to write one page, writing approximately three to four letters per minute.

When the writing has been completed, the pieces of parchment are sewn together with thread made of animal sinews. No element containing iron or steel may be used in the creation of a Torah scroll, because metals are used to create instruments of war.

There are accessories that go with the Torah…

1) Two wooden shafts, in Hebrew called trees of life, are attached at either end of the Torah so it may be rolled up.

2) A sash called a Gartel or belt is used to tie the Torah so it remains closed and secured under a velvet covering.

3) The velvet covering is called a mantel and is embroidered with golden thread, silk, and ornamental beads and covers the Torah so it is not exposed and vulnerable.

4) A crown called the Keter adorns the Torah and is usually made of silver, as a symbol of endearment and veneration.

5) The Yad is a pointer used by the reader of the Torah to follow the text during the Torah reading. Usually made of silver, the end of this rod is commonly shaped like a hand with its index finger extended.

According to Jewish tradition, the words contained in the Torah are the words God dictated to Moses, and are, therefore, from the Divine and treated with utmost respect. The Jews are taught that whoever honors the Torah will himself be honored.

There is so much more but that’s about all I could fit in here. Hope you enjoyed this as much as I have.

May we remember to honor the Word of God with the same deep reverence.

What is august to you? August…not the month but the word. Do you know what it means?

According to the dictionaries, it means inspiring reverence or admiration, of supreme dignity or grandeur, majestic, venerable, eminent, worthy of respect because of age and dignity, high position, having exalted birth, character, state, or authority.Sounds pretty descriptive of God, wouldn’t you say?

God exhibited all these august attributes when He spoke creation into being. Each seed of God’s Word stood positioned at conception’s gate, primed and eager for the Starter’s pistol to sound its commencement, and when God spoke His Word of power, He released the seeds of life and reaped the harvest of creation.

Scripture says, “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all their host by the breath of His mouth.” (Ps. 33:6 Amp)

All matter came alive at the sound of God’s voice. Within that matter is His voice imprint, His Word, still to this day, resonating in the entire universe, within every molecule, every atom, and every cell of every created thing – plants, animals, planets, sun, moon, stars, mankind, everything.

God’s Word never dies. How do I know? Because the Bible says so. Peter said, “The word of God which lives and abides forever…the word of the Lord remains forever.” (1 Peter 1:23b, 25 Received Greek Text) Would that just be His written Word or would that include His spoken Word?

David said in Psalm 33:9, “For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.” (NIV) Meaning it remained, endured, continued.

And the writer of Hebrews tells us, “The word of God is living, and powerfully working.” (Heb. 4:12a RGT) The Greek word for “powerfully working” used here is energes, which means active, operative, effectual, at work, or powerful. The living, breathing Word of God is active and operative, giving “life and breath and all things to all.” (Acts 17:25 RGT)Not ordinary words, God’s words are unseen, living entities, actually working energy and living matter of the eternal kind. A part of Himself.

And that part of Himself He graciously shares with those who love Him. Just as God’s Word gave life to the universe, His Word gives life to body, soul, and spirit because Jesus is “the Word of life.” (1 John 1:1b NLT) Jesus said, “The words which I speak to you are spirit and are life.” (John 6:63b RGT) If we have invited Jesus to rule our hearts, we have that living Word within us.

But if creation is so inspiring and God is so august, so worthy of respect, reverence, and admiration, then why do some not recognize God’s majestic handiwork in creation and accept Him as Creator?

The Word says, “They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Rom. 1:19-20 NLT)However, do we who know God appreciate His majesty and grandeur?

Step out into your backyard, or go to the outstretched ocean, or a gorgeous garden, or a flourishing forest, or the majestic mountains, whichever may be your favorite scene of nature, and just look around you. What greets you?

*Does the morning dew comfort you with the thought of drinking in God’s mercies or of His showering you with blessings?

*Does the mist of the ocean kiss your face with soothing relief, offering you God’s vast supply of living water to restore your tired body?

*Does the garden’s produce reward you with gratitude for the harvest of nourishment or fill your senses with its floral bouquet?

*Does the lush green of the forest refresh your soul as the trees unfurl emblazoned boughs as a canopy of shade and as a pavilion for the feathered set to convene their songfest?

All these are the entities of God’s voice imprint, surrounding you… pulsating in every living thing.How can our hearts not feel gratitude to the One Who made this magnificent world and surrounds us every day with His august presence? Who pours out new mercies every morning? Whose Spirit is generously shared with all who love Him? Should we not bow in awe and pour out worship, thanksgiving, and unrestrained praise?

David said to the Lord, “All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and talk of Your power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.” (Ps. 145:10-13 NKJV)Now, what is august to you?